Drier tank



C. P. FOLsoM DRIER TANKl Sept. l., 1931.

' Filed April 7. 1921 I N VEfN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

WI NESS:

Patented Sept. 1, 1931 narran iii ira-"aar CLARENCE i?. EFLSOM, OIF DAYTN, OHIE, ASSGNOR T0 DA/TN BEATER AND CClYEPnWY? fili' DA'S'TM, H, .A GOMPSL@ 0F LEE E.. HALTERMAN .AND

CLARENCE P.. FLSM @BIER TANK Application filed April '7, 1921.

This invention relates to rendering tanks and driers for the reception of fishery and packing house refuse and oftals for salvaging oil and greases and heat treating the residue for tankage or fertilizer.

The object of the invention is to simplify the structure as Well as the means and mode of operation oic such rendering and drying tanks, whereby they will not only be cheap-V ened in construction, but will be more eficient in use, uniform in operation, comparatively automatic in action, and unlikely to fret out of repair.

further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described,

which will be economical in its operation, and which will eiiect the rendering and drying of the mass of material in the shortest possible period of time.

A further object of the invention is to afford improved means for uniform heating and cooking of the mass, and whereby the cooking period will be minimized.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the agitation and separation of the cooked and partly dried mass, whereby the mass of material will be not only more or less nely separated, during the operation, but the dried portion will be progressively separated from the moist mass as the operation progresses.

With the above primary and other incid'. ital objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combination thereof and the mode of operationor their equivalents as hereinater described and set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. l isa vertical sectional view of the assembled rendering tank and drier forming the subject matter hereof. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional View 'illustrating a modification of the construction shown in Fig. 1. 'l

Like parts are indicated by similar char- Serial No. 459,493.

acters of reference thruout the several views.

It is quite the common practice to reduce slaughter house and fishery refuse and oii'als for the purpose of recovering the grease and oils and preparingthe residue for use as fertilizer by subjecting such'refuse and oiials to a cooking operation within a closed tank to which live steam is admitted under pressure. ln the usual process, the oils 'and greases released by the cooking operation float on top of the fluid or semifluid mass, which isl Y saturated by the inherent water or liquid and the water of condensation. The grease and oils iioating on top oit the mass are drained oi thru suitable outlet drains located at the approximate Huid level of the charge oi'f'ma terial. Any additional oils or greases remaining are drained 'oil' by adding water to the mass to raise the iluid level to that of the outlet. .ln any event this operation leaves the cooked mass of material in a saturated condition necessitating a long drying period and the explusion of a maximum quantity of vapor. Ordinarily this moisture is extracted subsequent to the extraction of the oils and gieases by subjecting the mass to steam heat by circulating the steam thru a jacket surrounding the cooker tank, and at Lne saine time exhausting the vapors from the interior of the tank and increasing the drying operation by inducing a partial vacuum therein.

The present apparatus and process involved in its use contemplates the immediate separation of the liquid from the mass .of material during the cooking operation, which liquids are drained oli' to a settling tank, wherein the water and grease or oils aresubsequently separated, leaving the mass of material in a partially dehydrated condition. In other words, the liquid and moisture is separated from the mass of material and the mass drained during the cooking operation, leaving the mass of materialiin a solid state with all excess moisture removed before the drying operation is begun.

The present invention further contemplates the separation of the mass of material as rapidly as portions of it become partially dry by depositing such partially dry portion from the bottom of the mass, allowing the moist upper portion to descend into the more heated zone, thereby materially increasing the rapidity with which the cooked material is dried.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which is shown the preferred but not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention, 1 is an upright cylindrical tank, having asomewhat enlarged base portion 2, surrounded by a steam jacket 3, having a sub bottom 4, spaced from the bottom of the tank to afford an intermediate steam space 5, about the lower walls and beneath the tank or container. The tank is divided at a mid height point by a perforated diaphragm 6 into an upper or cooking compartment 7, and a lower or drier and drainage compartment 8. The diaphragm or perforated wall 6 dividing the compartment 7 and 8 is of a somewhat dome shape or concave-convex with its convex side uppermost. The periphery of this diaphragm or 'division wall is downturned or hanged as at 9 and attached in spaced relation with the side walls of the tank 1. This provides an intermediate annular space 10,

between the margin of the diaphragm 6 and of fluid from the cooking mass and obviate any retention of the liquid in the upper compartment. It is to be noted that the convex shape of the diaphragm or division wall 6 tends to drain the liquid and moisture in the cooking mass contained within the upper compartment 7 outwardly toward this annular exit 10, thus insuring the escape of the liquid and moisture, which might otherwise be prevented from draining thru the perforations of the diaphragm 6.

Extending axially thru the lower compartment 8 `is a rotary shaft 11 carrying at itsV upper end within the cooker compartment 7 an agitator 12, comprising radially disposed arms having upward projecting lingers 13. This shaft also carries a like agitator within the lower compartment 8, comprising a radial arm 14, and the upwardly projecting fingers 15. These agitators are rotated within the respective compartments by the rotation of the drive shaft and serve to stir, break up and redistribute the material contained in the respective compartments. These agitators may be driven thru any suitable power connection as for instance by means of a bevel gear 16, on the lower end of the drive shaft, intermeshing with a corresponding gear pinion 17 carried upon a power shaft 18.

The mass of materials to -be'reduced is introduced into the cooker compartment 7 thru the charging door 19 in the top of the tank, and rests upon the perforated diaphragm or wall 6. Live steam is then admitted thru the steam supply pipe 20 to the cooker compartment above the level of the mass therein, and also at the same time steam is admittedthru the inlet pine 21 to the compartment 8 beneath the mass of material to be cooked. The diaphragm or wall 6 being perforated permits the steam from the compartment 8 to penetrate the mass from the bottom while the steam admitted to the top of the cooker compartment 7 being likewise under pressure is caused to penetrate the mass from the top. By this means the mass of material is subjected to uniform and rapid cooking. It will be understood that during thisl cooking operation, usually the agitator is at rest. As the cooking operation progresses the liquid, juices and water of condensation from the cooking steam together with the liberated oil and fat will drain thru the perforations of the diaphragm 6 and the exit space 10 into the lower` compartment 8, which will serve as a reservoir for the fluid extraction. At the completion of the cooking operation, the mass of material in the cooker compartment 7 will be but moist or partially dry, containing little or no free liquid, the moisture and liquids thereof having to a very considerable extent been drained into the lower compartment 8, whence they are conducted thru the outlet or drain pipe 22, to a suitable settling tank. No attempt is made to separate the grease and oil from the water within the cooker, but the intermixture of oil and grease with the water is conducted to the settling tank or other separator (not shown) The cooking operation being completed', and the liquid drained from the bottom of the tank, the suppl of steam is disconnected from the chambers and 8 and in lieu thereof, steam is supplied to the jacket space 5, surrounding the lower compartment 8. This supply of steam is admitted to the jacket thru a supply conduit -23. At the same time the agitators are set in operation to stir 'the cooked mass and a vacuum pump 24 operating thru a conduit 25 communicating at 26 with the top of the cooker Vchamber 7 exhausts from the cooker chamber 7 the vapors resulting from desiccation of the mass of material producing a partial vacuum within the tank and materially increasing the rapidlity of evaporation of any remaining moisture. This exhaustion of vapors from the top of the cooker chamber also tends to draw the heated air and vapors from the compartment 8 thru the mass of cooked material. As the lower part of the mass becomes partially dry, the agitation due to the movement of the arm 12 and fingers 13 breaks up the partially dried material, causing it to be deposited thru the perforations of the diaorwall 6 into the lower compartment 8. v

The lower portion of the mass being subjected to greater heat Iis more thoroughly dried than that higher up inthe mass and as the drying progresses the dried articles are crumbled or broken away at the'\` ottom from the less dry portions above by the actions of the agitator and such separated portions are deposited through the perforated bottom into the lower compartment. This l separation and deposit of the dried portion is progressive for as the separated dried portions are deposited the mass settles within the upper compartment thus bringing each succeeding level of the material progressively into the more highly heated zone, the separation of the material and its deposit into the lower compartment being thus progressively continued until the entire mass is so acted upon.

The size of the p-erforations of the diaphragm 6 may vary according to the character of the material operated upon.- It has been found in practice that openings ofapproximately one inch in diameter will meet the usual conditions of use. However, larger or smaller openings may be provided, to adapt the device to the reduction of coarse or fine material.'` The deposit of materials thru the perforations of the diaphragm will permit the mass to descend within the cooker chamber 7, while the partially dried material deposited is collected in the lower compartment 8, where it is agitated by the'rotation of the arm 14 and fingers 15 andthe drying completed. To increase the drying action, there is provided a jacket 27 surrounding the lower portion of the compartment 7, which jacket communicates at its lower end thru suitable openings 28 with the compartment 8. This jacket 27 is connected thru a branch.

line 29, having therein a control valve 30 with the main section or vacuum conduit 25.

By opening the valve 30 the vapors are notonly exhausted from the top of the cooker compartment 7 but also thru the connection 29 and the jacket 27, such vapors are exhausted from the lower compartment 8. These heated vapors being drawn from the compartment 8 thru the jacket 27 surrounding the mass of material within the compartment, tends to'further increase and distribute the heat thru such mass, u tilizing the 'exhaust vapors and affording a maximum drying action. This drying operation' is continued until the dried material subdivided by the agitation of the arms 12 and 14 is deposited thru the perforations o f the d iaphragm 6 into the lower compartment 8, where it is subjected to further agitation and heat due to thelcirculation of steam thru the jacket space 5, until thoroughly dried and reduced to a coarse granular form. The dried material isthen removed thru ing door, 31.

a draw- In Fi 2 there has been' shown a modification o the construction, wherein the auxiliary heating jacket 27 has been omitted, and

vthe vacuum connection is made thru aconduit 29 directly to the compartment 8.

.From thefabove description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a deviceof the character ldescribed possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, 'proportions, ydetail construction and larrangement of parts without departing from the principle but that the means and construction herein `4 disclosed vcomprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its l' forms, or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In an apparatus of the ,characterdescribed, a tankhaving imperforate side walls and a perforate diaphragm dividing the tank into upper and lower compartments, the lower compartment being of greater diameter than the upper compartment an annular jacket surrounding the lower portion of the upper compartment 'in spaced relation ,with the walls thereof forming a concentric chamber surrounding the lower portion of the upper compartment. said chamber having intercommuni'cation with the lower .compartment, means for supplying heating medium to the upper compartment to effect the cookmunicating compartments one above the.

other a perforated diaphragm` separating said compartments, steam supply conduits leading to the respective compartments, and an exhaust conduit also communicating with both compartmentsand a power drivenagitator in the upper compartment foref-g,

fecting the progressive separation of the dessicated solid material from the remaining moist material operated upon and the discharge thereof from the upper to the lower compartment,

3. A drier tank, a perforated diaphragm therein dividing the tank into an upper receiving compartment, for the material oper- [nol ated upon, and a lower accumulating compartment for the treated material means for admitting live steam to the tank during treatment of the material and external means for heating the contents of the compartments for evaporating the moisture therefrom, and an agitator in the upper compartment for breaking up the mass of drying material and separating the more thoroughly dried p0rtions from the remaining moist portions thereof, and for effecting the deposit of the separated dried material through the perforated diaphragm into the accumulating or lower compartment.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, a cooker tank for refuse a perforated diaphragm dividing thetank into a cooker compartment above the diaphragm and an accumulator compartment for the treated material located below the diaphragm, means for heatlng the contents of the cooker compartment and subsequently dehydrating the same, an exhaust conduft for leading off from the tank vapors of evaporation While effecting the dehydration of the cooked material, means for effecting the gradual deposit of the dehydrated-matefrial from the cooking compartment into such an accumulating compartment andheating means for the accumulating compartment additional to that of the cooking compartment for subjecting the deposited material to further heat treatment.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a tank, a convex diaphragm therein, the convex face of which is turned upwardly separating the tank into upper and lower compartments, there being intercommunicating openings between the compartments at the periphery of the convex diaphragm in proximate relation to the connection of the convex diaphragm and the walls of the tank, steam supply and exhaust connections to each compartment of said tank, and agitator means in both said compartments for thev contents thereof.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a tank, a perforated diaphragm dividing the tank into upper and lower interycommunicating compartments, means for heating the contents of the upper compartment to cook the same, the liquid contents being drained from the mass of material during the cooking operation, means for subsequently heating vthe lower compartment 1ndependent of the heating of the upper compartment the heat of the lower compartment being transmitted to the lower portion of the mass of drained material contained in the upper compartment, to effect the drying of such material, an agitator acting upon the partially dried material comprising the bottom of the mass in the upper compartment to separate such partially dried material from the remaining moist portion thereof and for forcing such separated'material through the perforated diaphragm into the lower compartment.

7. In a heat treating apparatus for tankage and the like, a tank, a perforated diaphragm dividing the tank into an upper cooking and a lower drying compartment, such drying compartment being located beneathl the cooking compartment and communicating therewith through said perforated diaphragm, an annular extension of the drying compartment exteriorly surrounding the cooking compartment to a mid-height point, au external heating jacket surrounding the dryingcompartment and a conduit for admitting live steam to the interior of the cooking compartment, agitating means within the cooking compartment and an exhaust conduit for exhausting vapors arising from the mass of material during the cooking and subsequent drying'operation. Y

8. In a heat treating apparatus for tankage and the like, a tank, a perforated diaphragm dividing the tank into superposed cooking and drymg compartments agitating means overlying said diaphragm, an annular heating jacket surrounding the lower portion of the cooking compartment in spaced relation to a mid-height point forminoF an annuylar chamber exteriorly of the codking compartment and which has communication with the drylng compartment, an external heating jacket surrounding the drying compartment,

interior of the cooking compartment, and

`means for exhausting the vapors from said .a conduit for admitting live steam to the and exhaust conduits communicating with both compartments of the tank, and means 'for subjecting the material to external drying heat during its agitation.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, a tank including a compartment having a convex perforated bottom, an agitator located adjacent to the convex face thereof conforming in its movement to the convexity of the bottom of the compartment, means for heating the contents of the compartment and means `for exhausting the vapors therefrom and means for actuating the agitator to stir the material operated upon in the zone immediately above said perforated convex bottom and to force such material through the perforations thereof.

11. In rendering apparatus, a pressuretight cylindrical tank, comprising an upper section and a lower section, the upper section being of'smaller diameter than the lower section, said tank having a bottom shaped convex upwardly, a heating jacket surround- ICQ ing the lower portion of said lower section, a convex perforated plate located at the lower end of said upper section and in spaced relation to the side wall of said tank, separate means for introducing heating fluid into each of said sections, separate means for exhausting gases from each of said sections, means in each section for agitating materials therein, means for introducing material to be treated in the upper section, and separate means in said lower section for respectively removing residual solids and liquids therefrom.

In-testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 28th day of March A. D. 1921.

CLARENCE P. FOLSOM. 

